Culture Crash: Hulu’s Big Push

For years, Netflix has been the top destination for streaming TV. The service dominates conversation and the culture, thanks in large part to hit shows like Stranger Things and Narcos.

But lately Hulu has been making more and more noise in the streaming space, and has the results to back it up. While Netflix has popularity, Hulu has accolades. Netflix’s blockbusters have never made much noise at awards shows and while they may be well-reviewed, the hype always seems to fade.

Hulu, on the other hand, is the exclusive owner of The Handmaid’s Tale, the drama that has swept every awards show in the past year and picked up rave reviews along the way. Now, Hulu has launched the ambitious show The Looming Tower, based on the non-fiction Puiltizer Prize-winning book of the same name by Lawrence Wright about the rise of Al Qaeda and the events leading up to 9/11 . And soon, Hulu will premier Castle Rock, their answer to Stranger Things that takes an episodic look at the Stephen King universe.

But the appeal of Hulu goes far beyond just their original series. Over the course of a few years, Hulu has amassed by far the best catalogue of older shows. This used to be Netflix’s bread-and-butter but over time, Netflix has lost shows and Hulu has gained them. Hulu now offers the ability to binge-watch game-changers of yesteryear like Seinfeld, Buffy the Vampie Slayer, Lost, ER, and many other primetime classics. Plus, Hulu is still the only streamer that has the option to watch current seasons of TV shows-like This is Us-as they air week-to-week.

It used to be that Netflix was the premiere choice for streaming TV. Now, though, things aren’t so simple. If you’re looking for a way to watch your old favorites and critically lauded current shows, the numbers suggest that Hulu’s may actually be your best option. But, take it from me, pay the extra $4 for the commercial-free plan. While paying extra money is a pain, Hulu’s so-called “limited commercials” plan is an even bigger one.

I’m Evan Rook.